New browser

[menace]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering...after various reasons I have decided to "dump" Explorer for a different browser altogether, but I am not sure of the "pitfalls" (if any)

Can anyone tell me, do I still need to install those patches, updates and Service packs?

If I install a new browser, will it be worth it cos Microsoft will "lock me out" of certain sites!

What in your opinion would be the best alternative browser option: Firefox, Avant or Opera?

I am running XP Pro

Thanks in advance

[xcrunner503]

Use mozilla firefox. microsoft shouldnt lock you out of it's sites just cuz u use a new browser. also a good one that is climbing the popularity ladder is Avant browser. both and more can be found at

www.download.com

[bookworm]

Originally Posted by xcrunner503

Use mozilla firefox. microsoft shouldnt lock you out of it's sites just cuz u use a new browser. also a good one that is climbing the popularity ladder is Avant browser. both and more can be found at

www.download.com

I use Firefox, it's great, it's set as my default, but when I launch Windows Update IE launches automatically, not really a problem

[xcrunner503]

I still use IE cuz i find really no reason to switch to new browser. I do like the feature that mozilla and avant have about the multiple pages in one browser tho. i might switch over soon just cuz of that feature

[Jack1000]

If you are running Windows XP, IE 6 can not be removed. This is because it is very tightly integrated with the Windows OS. When you update IE through Windows Update with patches and Service Packs, you are not just updating IE. You are updating Windows.

You can use Firefox, Netscape, Opera for alternative browsers. But you will still need to use IE to run Windows Update to get the needed patches and service packs. (Try to check at least twice a month for Windows Updates. At least once a month if you can.) You can also set up Automatic Windows Update for to install and/or update at a time that YOU pick. However, if you are only on a dial up connection these updates can take a LONG time, especially if you haven't run Windows Update before.

Dial up users still on original XP or XP-SP 1 should order Windows XP SP-2 from Micrososft on CD ROM because the upgrade is much too extensive for a dial-up connection. Make sure you read the prerequistes for installing SP-2 before doing so. Clean out your history/temp files. Update/run your AV program as well as get and update your Adware Removal/Spyware Removal program. SP-2 HATES SPYWARE! After you get SP-2 installed, run Windows Update. Make sure to run updates and do scans with your adware removal and spyware removal programs on a regular basis. (Weekly if you can.)

You still need the Windows Update patches along with your weekly (at least) AV updates, and a good Spyware removal and Adware Removal program. Two of the best are SPYBOT: SEARCH & DESTROY and ADAWARE SE: Microsoft also has an excellent Anti-Soyware Program called ANTI-SPYWARE BETA These programs and Windows Update will help you protect your computer. You need all of this protection.

Jack

[xcrunner503]

There is a way to remove IE 6 though. I just did it! I got mozilla but i am very dissapointed becuz of the popup blocker i used to have. it came with SP2 and blocked every single block up! but now i get popups. and about that windows update thing... i find it pretty useless cuz the first time i did it it downloaded all these "security patches" that i really didnt need...

[Jack1000]

Originally Posted by xcrunner503

There is a way to remove IE 6 though. I just did it! I got mozilla but i am very dissapointed becuz of the popup blocker i used to have. it came with SP2 and blocked every single block up! but now i get popups. and about that windows update thing... i find it pretty useless cuz the first time i did it it downloaded all these "security patches" that i really didnt need...

I hope your computer will be ok!

The patches/updates are important though. You may THINK that you don't need them, but the problem is, even if you don't use let's say IE, it is still an integrated part of Windows. All computer components interact with each other. (Sometimes even when you even have no Windows open!) Windows as an operating system integrates with Internet Expolorer. Internet Explorer integrates with Windows. Outlook Express integrates with Outlook even though they are two seperate e-mail programs. It's crazy, but in the MS world, all of these integrated components are designed as "suites" (for lack of a better word) When you start taking apart program A, to get to C, because B won't work, you COULD be playing with fire even if you think "Well I never use Program A, I don't need it." Well, true, you may not need it. (Meaning you may not USE it.) But Windows may need it to still run properly.

Unfortunately, you might need to do some repair diagnostics on IE (and it could come to an XP reinstall) if your computer starts acting up. I guess my question is, why try to modify IE at all? If you want to, you could use IE for your Windows Updates only and use an alternate browser for everything else. But, IE is needed for Windows to run properly and those service packs from Windows Update under those that are part of "Express Install." are provided for your computer's security and protection. You have to have those updates even if you are running an alternate browser.

Jack

[xcrunner503]

wow i bet u love to type lol. You could of sumed that up by saying:

those updates are important

[Jack1000]

LOL@Xcrunner!!!

Yea! I am a typing junkie! Good luck!

Jack

[xcrunner503]

i just downloaded an update for the first time ever. It was called windows 3.1 installer. useless anyone? yeah so after that installed i just stopped downloading them...

[F A B Scott]

In answer to the the original post; yes you do need the updates.[at least the critical ones] as mentioned already.
Firefox is the choice of most non IE users.[although there are other popular ones; also mentioned above]

ps. You can now get windows updates with Firefox at Windiz updates

[graham_ashe]

I use Maxthon. It's great.